Arlene Matye, a retired teacher from the Augusta School District, receives yearly digital mammograms and other health care services at Luther Midelfort Oakridge in Osseo. She and her husband, Duane, appreciate having Luther Midelfort and Mayo Health System in their town.
Arlene Matye, a retired teacher for the Augusta School District, knows first-hand how a facility like Luther Midelfort Oakridge can be a great resource for area residents.
After undergoing a breast biopsy, lumpectomy and radiation treatments in the early ‘90s, followed by a mastectomy a few years later, Arlene is familiar with the healthcare facilities in the region. She also knows the importance of mammograms.
“(When I was diagnosed with breast cancer) there were no lumps at all, and that’s why I tell people that a mammogram is so important,” she said. ”You can check yourself, but feel no lumps.”
Today, Arlene is cancer-free and continues to have annual mammograms at Luther Midelfort Oakridge in Osseo under the care of Dr. Brad Garber, a family medicine physician.
“It’s so nice that I don’t have to run to Eau Claire for these each year,” she says.
Arlene’s husband, Duane, also benefits from the care Luther Midelfort provides. Duane sees Dr. Dan Burns, an oncologist/hematologist, in Eau Claire for a blood condition that needs monitoring.
“After our first appointment, Dr. Burns told us we didn’t have to drive to Eau Claire for blood tests — we can get them right here in Osseo, and they’ll keep us informed,” she said. Duane has anticoagulation testing at the facility, so the couple has access to many diagnostic tests close to home.
In addition, Duane also sees Dr. Patrick Roberts, a foot and ankle specialist from Luther Midelfort in Eau Claire who also sees patients in Mondovi and Osseo. “Once in a while we drive to Mondovi instead of Osseo to see him — I’d rather drive to Mondovi than to Eau Claire,” Arlene said.
Through the years, Arlene and Duane have seen the hospital in Osseo go through many changes, but they appreciate the close access to the many healthcare specialists and level of technology offered by the facility. “My husband, while on the Osseo City Council, was very instrumental in keeping this hospital here, and it’s something we are very proud of for a community this size,” she said.
The Matye’s have lived in Osseo for 45 years and are proud of their small-town community and the Luther Midelfort Oakridge facility. They were nominated as Luther Midelfort Oakridge Friends of the Year in 2008 as they’ve contributed not only in monetary form, but also through past membership on the Luther Midelfort Oakridge board. Duane was very active in supporting the facility’s merger with Mayo Health System.
“Having the hospital become part of Mayo Health System has been very good for this community, and we can’t say enough about how happy we are that the facility was able to remain open,” said Arlene.
November 5, 2009 —After Lorelei Kittelson was diagnosed at age 45 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), she was referred by her physician to a 12-week rehabilitation program at Luther Midelfort Oakridge.
